Mines and Geosciences Bureau Assistant Director Atty. Danilo Uykieng and PMSEA President Louie Sarmiento awarded the plaques to the mining companies who have excelled and went beyond just compliance in safety and environmental protection.

Solid Earth Development Corporation is also recognized as the safest Non-Metallic Mining Operation in the country.

Apo Cement Corporation is awarded as the over-all winner for the Safest Mines Award in the Cement Plant category; second place is Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc.

The winner for the safest mine in the Crushing Category is the Bohol plant of the Philippine Mining Service Corporation.

In any mining operation, site rehabilitation is important for environmental sustainability. It is the goal for every mining company to return the land to its natural state during and after operation.

Carmen Copper Corporation – Toledo Copper Mine Project, 2nd runner-up in the Metallic category; and Solid Earth Development Corporation, 3rd runner-up in the Non-Metallic Category stayed true to their commitment for sustainable site rehabilitation thus they were bestowed the Best Mining Forest awards.

Philippine Mining Service Corporation in Alcoy, south of Cebu is the 1st runner-up for Best Mining Forest Awards in the Mineral Processing Plant category; 2nd runner-up for the same category is the Apo Cement Corp.

The awarding ceremony was held at the CAP John Hay Trade and Convention Center last November 18, 2016.

“The awards of the mining companies in our region is a reflection of how effective our region, especially our Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD) in monitoring for the implementation of programs on environmental management and social development,” said MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo.

The bureau is mandated to conduct regular evaluation and monitoring and implementation of programs and investigate incidents and complaints on mine safety and health, environmental management and social development.

MSESDD also conducts evaluation and validation of environmental management programs and small-scale mining environmental management plan among other environmental requirements.

It is also the task of the bureau to evaluate mine safety and health programs and ensure compliance with other mine safety and health requirements.